Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Northstar Alpacas giveaway!

So the discussion about using quality materials for creating fiber art has continued here at Phat HQ. The observation about someone's use of acrylic yarn to create has led to the idea that perhaps there is a vibrational quality about natural materials that make the finished product more appealing as well. Although Marcus and I are far from creating a scientific study, we like to talk, and this is what has come up. So, if you subscribe to the thought that everything is energy, then it would make sense that clothing or other fiber art created from natural materials (living animal fiber) would have a higher energy or vibration level than mechanically produced petroleum based synthetic stuff. Right?

Maybe I need to go pour myself another cup or organic coffee (with organic soy milk!) and munch on my granola some more, but it makes sense to me :) Anyway, I do talk a lot about the 'vibe' a certain fiber has, and NorthStar Alpacas fiber is very high frequency stuff ;) The proof is in the pudding.... 10 out of 10 customers who tried North Star Alpacas fiber felt their mood level rise by 82% during the creation process. Ok ok, I made that last statistic up, but it really isn't stretching the truth when I say this is the good stuff!

We're giving away this delicious Alpacarino 75% Alpaca and 25% merino ( the merino makes this alpaca have a bit of memory so really nice to make garments out of!) fiber (4 oz!) just visit North Star Alpacas, find something you love, and write about it in the comments section below. We'll be drawing for a winner later in the week, but don't wait to spread the word all over the interwebs!! We'll count your efforts as extra entries.

So it seems reasonable different fibers could logically have different energies, too! But I do want to point out that petroleum-based man-made fibers are actually made from plants and animals — just ones that have been dead a lot longer, have gone through some intense processes over a long period of time, and that have been processed chemically by humans on top of that. ;) And without more scientific data to base my idea of it on, I don't have an opinion about what has a "higher" energy or vibration than anything else, or whether higher inherently = better (more doesn't always = better or healthier, after all ;)). But!

That said, I've always thought it makes logical sense that fiber from happy/balanced plants and animals would have a different, probably healthier and more durable energy than fiber from non-happy/unbalanced plants and animals, which is part of why I support sustainability, organic everything, and respectful/sensible treatment for all living things.

It'd also make sense that the energy of a fiber that came recently from an animal or plant, and which has been processed mostly by creative and caring human hands, would have a more "alive" vibration than the energy that comes from fiber made from long, long dead plants and animals and then processed mostly by computer-controlled machines and chemicals.

I also tend to think that because we humans still don't utterly understand how all things are linked and affect each other, when we synthesize something, we don't really know what we're creating and how, as a whole, it works and affects us — long-term, short-term, on every possible level. Heck, we don't even precisely know how things we *didn't* make, that we've had a lot more time to study, affect us on every possible level and over time.

So basically, I agree with you in general concept if not in the exact letter of what you're saying. ;D I'm not being disagreeable, either, I promise — I'm just pointing out that there are Mack-truck-sized holes in the current body of human understanding of how energy works and affects us, and I, personally, find that a fun and exciting idea! I like the fact that there's still stuff for us to learn about and explore.

IMO, it's much more fun to think there are still adventures of knowledge to be had, than to think we humans know everything already and we're right about everything, which is what some people (not you, of course!) seem more comfortable believing. But really, who likes a know-it-all? ;)

So, er, yeah. Even by my overly detail-oriented and unproven theory, I bet North Star Alpacas fiber has some great energy. ;D And I want some! Because I've been drooling over their hand-dyed alpaca for years, now! ;)

Now that I've written a comment as long as your post, maybe I'll go have a cup of tea ... with organic half and half. ;D

On the "fiber energy" discussion ... I think it's absolutely true that natural fiber has a different metaphysical presence from acrylic or other man-made fibers. That, and simply the feel of it evokes a different reaction in our subconscious. In my case, it makes me hungry, and makes me want to rub it on my face like a cat.

I just can't get over all that naturally cute energy that alpacacs exude! My dyed favorites from the shop are the alpaca-merino blends in Nike and Osiris. As for undyed, I really like the swirled rovings in light fawn, dark fawn, and black. The resulting marled yarn looks so distinctive.

I am all about the blues and greens, so I love the Hand dyed Alpaca Roving in blue and green from Pollux's white fleece with Jacquard dyes - (Sky Blue), and Celeste's (Emerald) and the Hand dyed Alpaca/Merino Roving - 2.2 ounces - Spring II.

I really like the idea of blending some merino in with the alpaca. So, the one that really caught my eye was the Tequila Sunrise.Oh, and look at that! It's the July Phat Fiber sample. Really need a box now!

It is definitely high-energy, high-quality fiber, and materials do affect your mood; I make crochet toys and have a slew of acrylic fiber I started out with. Now that I spin (and realized there is access to far more local/homemade/homeraised/small business-created resources), I am transitioning, and it just makes me that much more motivated and satisfied with the end product.

When I saw the 100 Percent Alpaca Handspun Yarn - 184 yards in Emerald/Blue/Ivory I immediately thought of this hidden creek near the house in which I grew up. The color of the foliage, the peekaboo sky and the serenity of the small inlet.

The colors are beautiful yet not in-your-face bright..A very beautiful harmony.

When I "shop" for fiber, I want to be inspired, brought into the story, and transported away. I went to the Etsy store for North Star Alpacas. What a fantastic journey they have created . . . the blue skies, green grasses, brown forest floors . . . just really lovely. I own a CSA alpaca share from a Texas farm and adore alpaca, so I hope I win this contest . . . the more alpaca on my wheel the better!!

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What is a Phat Fiber Sampler?

The Phat Fiber Sampler box is a way for independent fiber, yarn and related needlecraft companies and artisans to promote their products through a tactile goodie box that goes on sale once monthly. Our contributors get exposure while the consumers get to handle and experiment with products before making larger purchases. If you would like to contribute to the box, or are interested in learning more, please contact Crys at Crys at polyartgirl dot net.